Chapter 102 — Little Grey
劍問蒼天 · Page 6 of 9
Almost at the same moment, the Yellow Bird swooped down in a fury, and the tornado instantly enveloped the Blackwater Mystic Serpent; all present heard the serpent give a heaven-shaking roar, a sound of utter anguish, as though it had suffered some grievous hurt.
The gale was exceedingly violent, and Facheng and the others drifted like ants before the wind and had no choice but to retreat a good distance further.
When the dust in the field slowly settled, the hissing and roaring had not diminished in the least; looking over, the crowd saw that atop the Blackwater Mystic Serpent's head blood was streaming, and from its right serpent eye blood sprayed like a fountain—the Yellow Bird had pecked one of its eyes out outright!
And just then, within the breached Heaven Emperor's Treasure House, a golden radiance flickered slowly, then gradually dimmed.
The Blackwater Mystic Serpent and the Yellow Bird had no time to spare for their fight; both looked down at once.
Before these two giant beasts, even the vast Heaven Emperor's Treasure House seemed no more than a child's toy.
Through the swirling dust, two figures staggered to their feet inside the Heaven Emperor's Treasure House—none other than Ming Li and Lu Xueling. And Xiao Hui, who had been clinging to Ming Li's shoulder all along, now tumbled from it, ducked beneath the wooden platform, and clutched the wooden pillar tightly with both hands to steady itself.
One could well imagine that beneath the Blackwater Mystic Serpent's reckless battering, the situation inside the Heaven Emperor's Treasure House a moment ago could not have been comfortable. Judging by Ming Li and Lu Xueling alone, though their faces were somewhat pale, they were still fairly composed; Xiao Hui, however, was frightened "pale of face"—that is, of fur—its mouth chirping "zhi zhi zhi zhi" without cease.
Ming Li composed himself, then gave a start, for on either side stood a giant beast of inconceivable size, glaring hungrily, and from their look both were reeking with murderous intent; needless to say, this was no good place to be.
But before he could react, the Blackwater Mystic Serpent's remaining eye had already caught sight of the wooden platform within the Heaven Emperor's Treasure House, and of the transparent liquid held in the wooden cup upon it.
At once uncontrollable greed shot from the serpent's eyes, and its huge head suddenly lunged down; how could the Yellow Bird stand idly by? With a clear cry it drove its sharp beak down to peck as well.
The two giant beasts unleashed their might at the same instant; however high Ming Li's and Lu Xueling's cultivation, instinct alone now bade them summon their magic treasures and flee swiftly. But Ming Li had no sooner taken flight than his body jolted, and behind him came a "zhi zhi" cry—Xiao Hui, who had been clinging to his shoulder, was hidden beneath the wooden platform and had not followed.
Though his temper had changed greatly from former days, his affection for Xiao Hui was deep and true; without a thought he turned back to fetch it. Unexpectedly, the moment he paused, the Yellow Bird gave a shrill cry and, locked together with the Blackwater Mystic Serpent, beat its wings, and a gale came roaring forth that pushed Ming Li and Lu Xueling far away.
Ming Li was frantic, but the force of that single wingbeat from the Yellow Bird was immense; he was carried far off against his will, and when he finally steadied himself he was already a good hundred paces or more from the tree trunk. His brows knitted tight, brilliant azure light flared beneath him, and he shot straight back.